Aces trump Omaha

The Omaha Storm Chasers were topped by the Reno Aces, 5-3, in front of 7,911 fans at Werner Park on Friday Night. Johnny Giavotella went two-for-four and drove in a couple while Jake Odorizzi was hit with his second Triple-A loss of the season after he allowed three runs over seven hits in 5.1 innings on the mound. With the loss, the Storm Chasers magic number to repeat as division champs is still at 15 games. Friday’s attendance was the 27th consecutive game in which the Storm Chasers drew over 4,000 fans.

Reno (66-48) snagged an early 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run home run by former Kansas City Royal, Mike Jacobs. From there, both offenses were quiet until the sixth when the Aces tallied another run to jump ahead of Omaha (68-46) by a score of 3-0.

Reno’s starter, Tyler Skaggs, held the Chasers to just two hits in his seven innings and was relieved in the eighth by Jensen Lewis. Adam Moore, the first batter Lewis faced, earned a walk and advanced to third on back-to-back singles by Irving Falu and Johnny Giavotella. Jonathan Albaladejo was then summoned to replace Lewis and induced a groundball force out at home. He then walked Wil Myers, with the base loaded, to push across Falu. Clint Robinson grounded out to end the inning.

New Omaha Storm Chaser, Donnie Joseph, who was one of two players acquired in the Jonathan Broxton deal was summoned by manager Mike Jirschele to pitch the ninth inning and allowed two runs in his Chasers debut to put Omaha in a 5-1 hole.

The Storm Chasers did not back down and started the ninth with back-to-back singles by Max Ramirez and David Lough. Moore flew out and then Derrick Robinson, who was brought in to pinch-hit for Jason Bourgeois, walked to load the bases. After a strikeout by Falu, Giavotella singled home Ramirez and Lough. Anthony Seratelli was then brought in to pinch-hit with two outs and after D. Robinson and Giavotella advanced to second and third on defensive indifference; Seratelli was caught looking at strike three to end the game.

The Chasers will play the Aces one final time on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.